Belarusian leader A. Lukashenko previously announced that he would begin returning trucks stranded in Belarus on March 23, according to state media. However, as of now, there has been no official document confirming this plan, leading to concerns from Lithuanian trucking representatives. E. Mikėnas, speaking to LRT radio, emphasized the importance of a formal agreement to fulfill Lukashenko’s public promise.

Since last November, Lithuanian trucks have been detained in special parking areas in Belarus, creating a significant crisis for Baltic transport companies. This situation is causing increasing anxiety about potential bankruptcies as the estrangement between Lithuania and Belarus continues. The representatives of the Belarusian government, led by Prime Minister Aleksandr Turčin, had previously met with representatives of Lithuanian and Polish carriers to discuss the matter, but the outcomes of those talks have yet to yield tangible results.

The backdrop to this conflict includes earlier incidents where smuggled balloons were allowed to pass from Belarus to Lithuania, prompting the Lithuanian government to close border crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai last October. As the situation develops, the industry remains in a precarious position, waiting for any official communication from Belarusian authorities regarding the return of the trucks in question.